Nehemiah 2:1-2
The Voice
Nehemiah’s job is to taste the king’s wine and food, checking for poison. Because of these duties, Nehemiah is constantly needed, so he must seek God’s favor so that Artaxerxes I will allow him to travel to Jerusalem.
2 Four months later, in the spring month of Nisan at the start of our New Year, Artaxerxes had been king 20 years. At a feast, wine was brought to him, and when it had passed my examinations, I gave it to him. Now, you must understand that in the presence of the king it is not my custom to openly express emotion, especially sadness.
Artaxerxes (to Nehemiah): 2 You look disturbed. I know you are not ill. The sadness I see in you is the sadness of the heart. What is wrong?
As I stood there before the king I was very afraid.
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Nehemiah 2:1-2
English Standard Version
Nehemiah Sent to Judah
2 In the month of Nisan, (A)in the twentieth year of King (B)Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, (C)I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. 2 And the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, seeing you are not sick? This is nothing but (D)sadness of the heart.” Then I was very much afraid.
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